Three arrested for defrauding 120,000 euros from Murcian farmers who did not pay for the purchased fruit | Radio Murcia

The Civil Guard has arrested three people, residents of Orihuela, as alleged perpetrators of 11 crimes of fraud in the sale of fruit, for a total amount of up to 120,000 euros, committed in the Murcian towns of Cieza, Blanca, Villanueva del Río Segura and Ceutí.

In a statement, the Benemérita has indicated that the proceedings began when several Blanca farmers denounced that a neighbor in the area had introduced them to two businessmen of Italian origin with whom they had agreed to sell several consignments of stone fruit. Of the 230 tons of fruit sold, they only charged a minimal percentage.

Civil guards took over the investigation, finding out that at least three businessmen in the agricultural sector, owners of farms located in the municipalities of Cieza, Blanca, Villanueva del Río Segura and Ceutí, had allegedly been scammed by the same people.

The investigations carried out by the investigators revealed that a runner, a neighbor of the area, had contact with them to mediate with some Italian businessmen. The trust placed in this person made the injured parties agree to meet with them.

By deception, the alleged businessmen, to pretend their economic solvency, advanced to the farmers a small percentage of the total purchase. Once the fruit was collected and delivered, payments were deferred with various excuses.

After the insistence of the farmers to collect, they sent them settlements at prices up to 50% lower than those agreed, alleging problems in the quality of the fruit, while they lengthened the terms, not paying the full debt.

The fruit, which was packed directly on the Murcian farms by workers hired by these buyers, was destined for Italy.

After obtaining the necessary evidence, the Civil Guard has identified and located the three suspects in the Alicante municipality of Orihuela, who have been prosecuted as alleged perpetrators of at least 11 crimes of fraud.

The discovered scam could exceed 120,000 euros, for the fraudulent purchase of 230 tons of fruit that, supposedly, has been exported to Italy. The persons investigated, along with the proceedings, have been made available to the Investigating Court of Cieza.

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